| Resource Purpose |
M17A Creek is a tributary of the Murray River. Within the M17A catchment is legacy infrastructure from the Quintette Coal Mine, including the Plant Site Tailings Management Facility, the Plant Site Sedimentation Pond B, and coarse coal refuse. Baseline water quality monitoring of M17A Creek reveals that contact water from legacy infrastructure has increased levels of sulphate and selenium in this stream. Baseline sulphate levels in M17A Creek are above typical background levels for streams in the region, and have occasionally exceeded BC water quality guidelines during summer low flows. Baseline M17A selenium levels range from less than its analytical detection limit to approximately twice the BC water quality guideline of 0.002 mg/L. Baseline monitoring has also shown that total suspended solids levels at the mouth of M17A have also been elevated, particularly during spring freshet. Total metals associated with suspended solids (aluminum, cadmium, chromium, and iron) have also occasionally exceeded BC water guidelines when suspended solids levels are high. The source of total suspended solids to M17A Creek has not been identified. Water quality monitoring data indicates neither the Plant Site Sedimentation Pond B nor the tailings management facility is the primary source of high suspended solids. |
